BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Transatlantic Afghanistan District (TAA) employees have been awarded one of the highest honors bestowed within the Corps of Engineers. Charles "Lon" Webster, chief legal counsel, and Gordon Simmons, chief of contracting and engineering, were presented with the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal Monday.
"I was humbled," Simmons said. "To me, the de Fleury is a rare honor that requires recognition and endorsement from a commander indicating a level of confidence and appreciation for the work the individual has done toward support of the regiment. I know it's not handed out freely, but only awarded to those who have significant, sustained accomplishments toward making life better for the American Soldier."
The medal is named for a French engineer Francois Louis Tesseidre de Fleury who volunteered to serve with the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
At the Battle of Stony Point, New York, in 1779, De Fleury was in command of a battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Corps of Light Infantry. He led an American charge up a rocky slope to retake the outpost on the point. The first over the wall, de Fleury rushed to flag pole, cutting the British colors from their staff.
For his actions, the Continental Congress awarded a medal struck in de Fleury's honor. It is believed that the de Fleury Medal was the first Congressional Medal produced.
"The de Fleury Medal is presented to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the Engineer Regiment in a variety of positions and locations. It recognizes the very best of Army engineering," said Col. Pete Helmlinger, USACE-TAA commander, who presented the award to both men.
"I was very surprised, to say the least," Webster said. "The de Fleury medal is a wonderful award and I never expected such an honor."
Webster hails from the Fort Worth District where he serves as an assistant legal counsel. He joined TAA in August 2014. He considers himself fortunate to have had a career that has afforded him the opportunity to be a part of something that impacts the lives of so many people now and into the future.
"The Corps of Engineers has been, and continues to be, a magnificent place to invest a career," Webster said. "I am proud to work for an agency that undertakes so many difficult projects on behalf of both our own country and other allied nations. In my opinion, the caliber of the Corps' civilian employees is unparalleled in the Federal service, and its military personnel are outstanding."
Simmons joined TAA in September of 2014 from the Savannah District where he is the chief of engineering. During his 31-year career with USACE, Simmons has taken on assignments in six countries for five separate districts. He considers his work a passion that has enabled him to improve the lives of others around the world.
"I love being an engineer, and I love being able to support this country and our soldiers with the skill sets the good Lord gave me," Simmons said. "I am again humbled as the opportunities and successes I've had in my career are by no means attributable to me alone, but rather a team of professionals in the Corps working together to accomplish the mission."
Helmlinger labeled both men as two of his "all-stars." He said the skills and dedication both men bring to their work have helped them make a significant impact that will be felt long after they leave Afghanistan.
"Gordy deployed on short notice to serve as the TAA chief of engineering and construction. He has excelled in a challenging and complex environment and built upon USACE's legacy of engineering excellence, delivering more than 90 construction projects of strategic importance for the government and people of Afghanistan," Helmlinger said. "He truly exemplifies all that the de Fleury Award represents.
"Lon has superbly served us in a way that most people are not even aware of," Helmlinger said of Webster. "In his quiet, professional, tireless, and thorough manner, he has provided expert counsel facilitating construction of significant projects.
"He has also saved the U.S. government millions of dollars in litigation, greatly improved efficiency, and repeatedly increased public confidence and upheld the superb reputation of the Corps of Engineers," Helmlinger added. "Coupled with his selfless service to our nation in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, it is all together fitting that he be recognized with the de Fleury medal."
There are four levels of the de Fleury Medal: steel, bronze, silver and gold. Only one gold medal is awarded each year by the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers.
"As a lawyer for USACE and a long-time student of military history, being recognized by the Engineer Regiment in such a significant manner is extremely meaningful for me," Webster said. "The Corps of Engineers has been, and continues to be, a magnificent place to invest a career."
"I would never have received this recognition if I've not been blessed to work on some very interesting projects with other engineers, architects, technicians and support personnel who were equally dedicated to supporting the regiment," Simmons said. "This will certainly be a highlight of my career and it gives me a certain pride in realizing that I'm doing a few things right."
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